What are the rules about parking in alleys?

Q: I live in Greenwood, which is riddled with alleys. They’re not maintained in the same way as the local streets, but my understanding is that they are still city property. Is that right?

If so, does the three-day rule for vehicles also apply to those parked in Seattle’s alleyways? Where can citizens report deliberate alley blocking?

A: Most Greenwood alleys are public. There are some exceptions – parking lots, etc. – but those should be obvious.

Police say the three-day rule – the city law stating no vehicle may be parked on any street or municipal property for more than 72 hours – wouldn’t apply because other city laws would take effect first.

Text in sections of Seattle Municipal Code 11.70 prevents people from parking in alleys, police spokesman Jeff Kappel said. (That’s different from parking on private property that connects to an alley.)

Fines are $42.

Section 11.72.020 of the SMC states, “No person shall stand or park a vehicle except a commercial vehicle, a vehicle displaying a valid commercial loading permit, or authorized emergency vehicle in an alley.”

Section 11.74.010 says commercial drivers should get their unloading done within 30 minutes.

Also, section 11.72.025, which cited the Revised Code of Washington, states “No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within an alley in such a position as to block the driveway entrance to any abutting property.”

And there are others. Kappel also added that if traffic is waiting, a vehicle owner could face additional penalties.

As for remedies? Try calling the Seattle police non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011 or your favorite towing company.

Thanks to the people who submitted questions. Previous answers are linked below.